Interment of ashes,
Woodingdean Lawn Cemetery.

Ivan and Matthew were laid to rest today near their childhood home of West Sussex. It was an intimate gathering of immediate family and an informal farewell. The view from the cemetery, where other members of the Purdie family also rest, is of the sea and the beautiful South Downs where they loved spending time as young boys. 

A letter was read on behalf of Matthew's wife and children who are now settled in New Zealand. Matthew and Ivan's sister, Catherine, recited a poem she had written for her beloved brothers, and Ivan's wife Kate recited a poem for Ivan.

The interment ended with a final poem, He is Gone, by David Harkins, and then each person present placed a sunflower on the grave as a final farewell.

We would like to thank everyone who has helped us all through this most difficult of years. We are truly blessed to be surrounded by so much love.

For Ivan

It's 3am and I cannot sleep
So I like here awake and I weep
and I weep

Together we were so very strong
The years they were short
but the days were long

Those days - yours and mine
will last a lifetime
Filled with love, filled with joy
because of our little boy

He gives me strength
He gives me hope
That small piece of you
is what helps me to cope

Thank you for making
my dream come true
For that I will always 
be grateful to you

Being his mum
is the best job I've had
but oh how I wish
you were here being dad

There is so much more 
I wish to say
As you well know
I could go on all day

So instead, my love
I will leave you with this
I miss your smile
and I miss your kiss

And although we can no longer
be together
My sweet strong Ivan
I will love you forever
 
- Kate Purdie


He is Gone

We can shed tears that they are gone
Or we can smile because they lived

We can close our eyes and pray that they will come back
Or we can open our eyes and see all that they have left

Our hearts can be empty because we can't see them
Or we can be full of the love that we shared

We can turn our backs on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or we can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

We can remember them and only that they are gone
Or we can cherish their memories and let them live on

We can cry and close our minds, be empty and turn our backs
Or we can do what they would want: smile, open our eyes, love and go on

- David Harkins, Poet (modified)

 

5th October, 2015

There are hearts breaking all over the world tonight and this page may just break the internet. I am so sorry to say our Iron Ivan is gone.

He fought valiantly right until the very end and died holding my hand with his sister by his side. I have never known anyone with such immense amounts of strength and determination, such passion for life and love for his friends and family.

He suffered far more than any of us will ever know and never once complained. I wish with all my heart and soul that he was just resting upstairs in bed, but am comforted by the thought that he is finally resting in peace.

When I asked Ivan if he was afraid, he said he was only afraid of not getting to live this life that he loved so much. Let that be a lesson to us all to make the very most of every day, just as he did.

Ivan leaves behind three young children - Olivia, Scarlett and Lucas. Please help me to keep his memory alive in their hearts and minds by posting your stories, photos and messages for Ivan here.

Love,
Kate

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Ivan's service will be held at 11.30am on Thursday, 15th October at the Bishop's Stortford Golf Club. All are welcome. A celebration of his life will immediately follow at the same location:

Bishop's Stortford Golf Club
Dunmow Road
Bishop's Stortford
Hertfordshire
CM23 5HP

When Ivan entered the hospital on 1st October it was only for nutrition supplements which we hoped would help him to regain his strength. His goal was to be able to play another round of golf before the year's end. He had no intention of dying so he did not make any other plans.

His family and friends have joined together to plan a celebration worthy of the life he lived. We hope it will make him proud. We have decided to celebrate his life at the golf club where we all enjoyed so many good times together. He was a long-standing member, a member of the board of Directors and one of the club's Bishop's Dozen. 

The rules never really applied to Ivan and that will be the case on Thursday too:

SERVICE
Please note that this is a funeral service where you will have an opportunity to say your goodbyes to the man we all loved so much. His casket will be present at the golf club for the service and then we will say a final farewell. 

DEDICATION
After the service we will move outside for a dedication so please come prepared whatever the weather.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
When we re-enter the building we will celebrate with some of Ivan's favourite music, drinks and food. All who wish to toast and honour Ivan will be very welcome to do so.

DRESS CODE
Ivan always wore what he wanted and he always looked smart. We would ask that you please do the same - black is fine and so is colour.

THE CHILDREN
Due to the ages of Ivan's children a photographer will be present on the day. Please understand that this is only so we can capture the key moments and the outpouring of love for Ivan, so that they will be able to take comfort from it in years to come.

Ivan's committal will take place at 4.45pm at Parndon Wood Crematorium. This will be a private ceremony for Ivan's extended family only. We would like to invite everyone else to remain at the celebration of life with Kate, Olivia, Scarlett and Lucas. Ivan always left on a high note and we would like to do the same. 

DONATIONS
In lieu of flowers please consider supporiting Cancer Research UK in Ivan's memory. There will also be an opportunity to donate in person on Thursday. 

http://donateinmemory.cancerresearchuk.org/0006355

I remember:

Games of French Cricket with Bess at our side
Bargaining over Battenburg and Betting on the favourite National Ride
Peddling around Pietrasanta and laughing so hard I cried
Sunday afternoons with Bond and Thursday’s countdown to No. 1
Debates over Dinner with Mat, Dad and Mum
Summer games of Call My Bluff and Rottingdean Swims

There were jobs with Insurance and Cars without
Dad’s truck borrowed; No licence, no worries, after-all you were a Scout
The XR3i Babe Magnet and the funny ole Blue Sub
Evenings at the Six Bells and Nights at the Top Rank Club
There was travel with Thompsons
Impressions of Bellamy, Elvis and more
There were ladies a plenty, I liked them all for sure

You were noticed by Emap, Creature and Bill
And so became the legendary Iron Ivan will
Your style was classic and never worn twice
You sailed and golfed and cycled and skied these were your vice
You sang like the King and regularly too
Beamers and Bentleys, no-one caught you
Friday’s was a Ruby and Beer with the boys
And then came the girls, you were filled with joys

In Cannes you met your Soul Mate
And Lucas was a worthwhile wait
Your smile was magnetic, your humour dry
Your generosity was excessive, you were quite the guy
And so we look to the sky to wave goodbye
But don’t tee off just yet
Our dear brother needs to be met
We’ll join you in due course
For a four ball re-match of course

‘Twas April 1st in ’68 the world was filled with joy
For Jill and Michael Purdie had birthed a brand new boy

They named the nipper Ivan…
Which back then was pretty rare,
Given all those dreadful commies and the dastardly red scare

But he grew up in the standard way, not over short or tall
The lad became a tyro with any type of ball

With bat or clubs he’d tour about and then he learned to ski
He was somewhat of a legend off piste in Chamonix

He then turned his mind to business and how to earn a pound
So he got a start with William Gates the smartest bloke around

So his life took off, he was on the way, things were not so bad
And just to make things better, our bloke became a DAD

He had two lovely little girls, the apples of his eye
Olivia and Scarlett, as sweet as apple pie

Then as fate would have it, with the vagaries of life
Ivan went and met a girl, the sister of my wife….

He met her in New York, which for Ivan was quite good
As he did a lot of business around her neighbourhood

They wined and dined, she did the dance, he showered her with kisses
Then over the Atlantic, he asked Kate to be his missus!!!

And so the Purdie family settled into English life
With vacations in the sun to keep happy the wife

And when England got cold and grey and winter storms they blew
They”d fly off to the Bitter End and sail the ocean blue

And then things started happening as things are wont to do
Our Iv became a dad again at just on 42

The product of their union was a rugged little lad
With legs of steel and heart of oak, the image of his dad

Our Ivan took the world head on he never did things gently
It was only 18 months ago, he went and bought a Bentley

Ivan's got a world of mates and most of them are here
They’ve golfed and skied together and they’ve downed a lot of beer

And when we first heard that he was crook, it came as quite a shock
None of us believed it, it sounded like a crock

And so it was for Ivan, he took the bastard on
With a little help from China, he had the battle won

But cancer is a bastard, and it finally took our mate
But love's what brought us here today, so rid your hearts of hate

Now raise a glass, and drink a toast, and say along with me

WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU
OUR MATE IVAN PURDIE

Thank you all for your wonderful tributes, and for surrounding us with so much love. It feels like a gift that Ivan left for us and for that we will always be grateful.

Ivan always seemed to know what to do. Even when he really didn’t, he was incredibly convincing! 

One morning last week I woke around 3am and could not sleep because I knew I had to plan this day. I didn’t really know where to start. What would Ivan do? So I sat down and began opening some of your cards.

The first one I opened started with a poem, and I knew straight away that it was a sign. Because what it said, and the way it made me feel, was quite simply, Ivan.

 It is exactly what I think he would have said to us all on this day.

And so I will read it to you now, on behalf of the love of my life, our Iron Ivan, who never wasted one moment of the life that he loved living so very much.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glint on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awake in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I do not Die.

For Ivan

In a room. In front of an audience. Ivan was an impossible act to follow. If you'd ever seen him, you will know what I mean. Or at least you won't think - that's just something to say in sympathy. Ivan was an impossible act to follow. Full stop.

When Kate invited me to say something it was with immediate sense of humbleness. Because he was always ‘the voice’. The icebreaker extraordinaire. He was the storyteller who would portray the vision, amplify its importance and compel everyone into wanting to achieve it. He's was the voice who would tell a joke as it was meant to be told or a story about something that by rights shouldn't be hilarious, but with him, it just was.

And he never never ever needed to bother with something as limiting as notes.

There's have been some incredible tributes made already, the tributes from around the world and those here today - most poignant being Kate's incredible words and Olivia's messages to her daddy - they have been a privilege to read and hear. All of them a way of us to remember the man we knew and loved. He was an impossible act to follow and genuinely the only one who could have done it is Ivan himself. But for that we'd need him here. Right here. To do himself justice.

The only thing we mortals can do is try and share in some small way the ingredients that he would combine to make gold.

By way of a brief intro I was fortunate enough to work with Ivan at 4 different companies over a period of just shy of 20 yrs - all of them in visual or creative industries, each of them progressively a bigger and more global gig.

He was the main man everywhere we worked. The go to guy. He had that innate air of being in charge, an astute business mind, a brilliant relationship builder, and a listener. As a natural born leader he was stratospherically successful at turning international groups of people into global teams - teams he transformed from disparate people who didn’t give a toss, into folks who started to really care. He inspired people into wanting to succeed and be recognised and do their best work and more and more. Everywhere we worked Ivan had that openness and supportive gravitas which made people want to do their best. That's leadership.

He had such great energy and it was truly intoxicating when he was on a roll. Its also what made him a phenomenal sales guy. He loved the act of persuasion and of influence. Many of us will recall with fondness the awesome experience of being at an Ivan sales pitch!

Each time we moved companies was a bit more fun than the last. The formula used be Ivan would get fed up working for the numpty running the company and of showing them how-to-tie-their-own-shoelaces. And so Ivan would go to something new and a bunch of chancers...sorry, I mean talented colleagues, would end up following him.

I remember when he'd just left the first company we were at, a company called Image Bank in Fitzroy Square. He'd been gone about two weeks and I was still there and it wasn't half as much fun and my phone rang. “Alright mate” says that distinctive voice.. “how's it going?”. “Alright fella” I say, “same as usual.” “I’ve got an interesting little new gig mate” he says. And Ivan asks if I fancy a little new adventure. Am I up for joining him. “Where is it?” I say "Over here" he says. “Over where?” I reply, confused. "Turn around" says Ivan. And I'm thinking “Eh?!?” "Look out the window - over here!” says the voice. And I look across the beautiful Georgian square, and I suddenly spot this big broad shouldered figure silhouetted in the tall full length Palladian window in the building on the opposite side of the square. A figure with a phone clamped to his ear - and waving. "Hello mate" he says - and I couldn't see but could feel the grin, "At least we'll know where all the decent pubs are eh?"

Sharing the things I'll remember him for, is ironic because that's another thing he was all about. Sharing. He absolutely knew the pleasure and delight of sharing - sharing life moments, sharing good company, sharing a laugh, sharing a ‘beverage’, sharing a view, sharing an opportunity, sharing a task, sharing a quest, sharing a problem, sharing a moment, sharing inspiration.

Sharing inspiration. He truly knew the power of inspiring. Not ‘telling someone to do something’. But inspiring them to an even-better-something. Something greater. He was the most inspirational man..

I had an office next door to Ivan at Corbis in London for about 5 years and his door was always open. To be honest it might as well have been revolving. So many people wanted to something that they could only get from Ivan - to talk, to be guided, to be inspired, to be reassured, to be amused. More often than not they got what they came for - and they'd leave with a bit more zip and a bit more clarity on the why and how and what.

Striding. He was good at that too! Striding into a packed meeting room, announcing his entrance and giving it the full "morning campers…" Striding down a Manhattan avenue to do the deal - he loved that. Or striding down the Croissette to a lavish party in Cannes.

I remember in Jan 2000 - turn of the millennium - a winter of record-breaking perishingly cold low temperatures in New York - at his suggestion, he and I walked the length and breadth of Manhattan all week. Talking, regaling and marvelling at marvelous Manhattan - and heading to Chinatown for some steaming hot ‘noodle doodle’. Happy, happy times.

One particular striding story does bear retelling. He'd been out. Drinks. Dinner. Drinks. Let’s just say ‘he’s had a few’. And he's staying in town as he sometimes did. Gets to the Soho Hotel at 1:30am And the Hotel have let his room. It's London Fashion week. And the hotel have said “don't worry Mr Purdie we've got you an alternative”. “Where?” Says Ivan. “Heathrow Airport”. “Sod that,” he says, and he gets in a cab and heads to Queen's Park in North West London, where the company’s big glass office building was. He lets himself in, heads upstairs and strips down to have a nice little kip on the leather sofa in his office. But the air con is still raging and he's on a cold leather sofa and it's freezing so he thinks “sod this I'm sleeping in the car”. So he goes down to the car park and gets in his Range Rover, starts it up and whacks the heater on. Lovely and warm and he is snug as bug. Happy days. And sweet dreams.

He wakes up and odd for an early bird like Ivan, it's 930am. And it's a weekday, pretty much a full office. And all his clothes and clobber is upstairs scattered on the floor! Anyone else would've had a PA or secretary scrambling around and him diving up a backstairs in a panic. But Ivan Purdie, Executive Vice President Global Sales, of Bill Gates’s privately-owned digital content business, strides through the big glass atrium and open plan office in nothing but his jollies.

Waving.

And with a stridently bellowed “Morning!" to the open mouthed staff...

Which brings me to the thing I'm going to miss most about Ivan. The sound of Ivan

“Hello mate”
“Oh maaaate"
“See you soon mate”

I'll really really miss that voice.

A voice that was reassuring and rich with possibility. A voice that made you want more....before his get-up-and-go timeliness meant that you'd had your lot, and he was away.

And the laugh. Raucous, joyous, impromptu laugh-out-loud. Laughter that, the moment you heard it, you knew you wanted to hear what had caused it.

Last week I was wishing I'd told him that I loved him. But I couldn't. Because he never gave up. And because ‘commiserations’ like that would've had a tendency to sound unintentionally final. That's the way Ivan was. Without ever deceiving himself about his medical condition, he responded to every bit of clinical news with a radical, clarity of thought that he applied to every other problem to be solved. His will to keep his existence intact, to remain engaged with his natural intensity of getting the job done, was spectacular and impressive beyond words.

He was always like that. And that’s how we’ll remember him.

-----

So, what to do now he's gone?

To that, I ask the question that I often ask myself when I'm faced with an obstacles to challenge in life….

‘What would Ivan do?’…..

He would pause for effect….smile, and say…”I think you just have to go for it…"

“Go for it”

Yes, Ivan. In your memory, we will all do just that. x

So, the people have spoken online from around the world, too many to count; now we’re here and still it doesn’t seem real.

If ever I caught myself getting nervous about today I remembered how privileged I am to be trusted to share with you, in my own words, memories of an unforgettable guy who changed all our lives.

Ivan; a solid name for a strong man. It suited him. I only learned the other day that if things had been different he might have been called Joe. But Ivan he was.

Ivan Joseph Purdie was born to Jill and Mike in West Sussex on April Fools’ Day but was certainly nobody’s fool. I didn’t know him as a boy but from the glowing tributes posted by his childhood friends it’s obvious he made an impact from an early age.

He was a bright student but couldn’t wait to leave school and make his mark on the world. Who could have known what a force of nature he would become?

From the first time I met Ivan nearly twenty years ago when we played cricket for Sawbridgeworth I knew I liked him; we all did, and he soon became a trusted and loyal friend.

There was much to admire about Ivan and whether it was golf, cricket, skiing, cycling or rugby, he was all action. With his huge smile and wide shoulders, he didn’t do half measures, it was go hard or go home. When Ivan was on form he’d make the golf course look like a pitch and putt, eat, drink, make us laugh until it hurt and then serenade us with Elvis long into the night. And he’d be back the next day to do it all over again. So much passion for life.

He steered our bunch of golfing misfits on many a night out. You knew about it in the morning when you’d been out with Ivan and although we’ve lost our friend those happy times will live long in the memory.

Always leading from the front and with confidence to spare, he energised those around him. Ivan had a rare ability to articulate his vision and achieved many successes in his career. Building strong teams was one of Ivan’s great gifts to business and he did it for big, big companies around the world. Interesting and always interested, Ivan was a highly skilled people person who could operate at all levels.

He hadn’t quite hit the big time when I first knew him and when he did I admit to wondering “how does he do it”? Then one day I figured it out; he was bloody good at his job.

Virtually commuting across the Atlantic, jet lag didn’t seem to slow him down. A lucky few of us were invited on the trip of a lifetime for Ivan’s 40th birthday. Golf at Pebble Beach then on to Las Vegas and a helicopter out to the Grand Canyon; we were living the dream. Those were great days and it felt good to be under Ivan’s wing; kind of safe and dangerous at the same time.

When thinking about Ivan, two questions usually sprang to mind; what was he gonna do next and what was he gonna buy next?

With his fondness for nice cars, watches, holidays and sailing boats you could be forgiven for thinking this snappy dressing fellah was a bit flash but he wasn’t.

Ivan just liked the good stuff.

The man had presence and the man had style. Remember how he would strut into the room, all chest and shoulders and grinning from ear to ear. And on the rare occasions when he wasn’t wearing sunglasses you could see the mischief in those eyes.

Latterly he lent his business brain to this golf club as a member of the board and many of us, including me, have benefited from Ivan’s thoughtful guidance.

To me, he was like a dad, brother and best mate rolled into one. I looked up to him and he taught me a lot.

That’s not to say he was immune to the occasional flash of stupidity. Plans for a grand firework celebration at his first house in Sawbridgeworth were going well until I reminded him about the thatched roof.

But he loved being out there with his mates, taking on the course with his John Daly swing. He never once walked round a golf course either. Why walk when you can swagger? And Ivan spent so much time on his mobile; it was a tough choice between a bench and a phone charging point to remember him by.

One wag observed that the location chosen for Ivan’s bench is perfect because that’s about as close as he ever got to the practise facilities.

In partnership with Kate, Ivan made a warm and generous host. He loved to cook, and some of my happiest memories are of times spent sharing food and wine and most precious of all, laughter, with Ivan, Kate and our good friends. He would spoil us with the best steaks on our poker nights and his paella matched anything you’ll find in Spain.

Ivan loved his family and friends dearly and told me how much days spent skiing and golfing with his dad and brother meant to him. 

Charming and charismatic, Ivan had a big heart. In his short but full life, he managed to confuse more than one woman into marrying him and was the proud and loving father of two beautiful daughters and a lovely little boy.

Ivan was devoted to Kate and his children. His wonderful family will be his lasting legacy and I am certain that Olivia, Scarlett and Lucas will go on to do many more things to make their Dad proud.

If their minds are even half as enquiring as their dad’s they’ll know enough.

The past five years since Ivan became ill have been sad for us all and none of us can imagine the personal loss that Kate, Jill, Mike, Catherine and the family are suffering. To witness Kate’s unwavering love and incredible support for our friend has been a humbling experience.

It’s been so hard to watch Ivan fight his fight but he tackled it head on and fought with determination and courage till the final whistle blew. He confounded the experts countless times and his stubborn bravery has been an example to us all.

As Ivan began to cast a smaller shadow, in my eyes, he became an even bigger man. Not once did I hear him complain or ask why me? Even near the end he was planning next year’s golf trips from his hospital bed. The man was pure class.

Now Ivan’s pain is over and it’s time to say our goodbyes.

I’ll never stop missing my best mate but Ivan wouldn’t want us to be miserable today. He’d want us to raise a glass and remember all the good times.

But most of all, I believe he’d want us to look after each other; not just for today, and to be the best that we can be.

So here’s the deal Ivan; keep on sending us your positive energy and we promise to always do the right thing whenever we’re in a “What would Ivan do”? situation.

We all loved you mate; you were some man for one man and by far the best of us.

Walk With Me Daddy

Walk alongside me, Daddy
and hold my little hand.

I have so many things to learn
that I don’t yet understand.

Teach me things to keep me safe
from dangers every day.

Show me how to do my best
at home, at school, at play.

Every child needs a gentle hand
to guide them as they grow.

So walk alongside me daddy,
we have a long way to go.

Even though this horrible condition has sent us on a roller coaster of up and down, daddy tried his hardest to keep us together as a family and battle his way through.

Daddy was the strongest man I have ever known. The cancer was petrified of superman and never grew fast.

But cancer didn't defeat him. He was just too tired to carry on.

Daddy never wanted to go but I bet he's playing the best golf course in the world now.

Daddy isn't gone. His heart and soul will be forever in our hearts and we will always have a piece of him in our hearts.

Dear iron man dad,

Where do begin? I love you and I miss you and the pain we are going through really hurts but I guess it is nothing compared to the pain you went through day in and day out.

That’s one of the things - out of many - that I am so proud of you for dad. Your bad days were really so much worse than you ever let on!

We have had loads of happy memories with you daddy! You never failed to make me laugh even if it was just a sarcastic comment about the program that was on the telly.

I never really told you this dad but to be honest you are my best friend. You could look at me and know exactly what I was thinking.

I never really told you how much I loved you but I promise it was all the way to the moon and back many times!

Thank you for teaching me all the lessons you were able to. Even when I thought I was right but really I had no idea, you would just let me get on with it and then when I realised you were right you would just give me the ‘dad knows best ‘ look that always put a smile on my face!

I miss you so much but as I can clearly see you touched so many people dad and there are so, so many of us all feeling the same.

As a family you have taken us on the best adventures I will ever have in my life and I will always tell my children that my best holiday were with my dad.

Even if it was up a mountain watching you ski down the scariest off piste in the resort, or swimming races in the sun, wherever we were with you dad was always the best place to be. So thank you again.

I also wanted to say thank you for teaching me how to ski because I know how much you enjoyed me shouting at you because I couldn’t do it! But thank you for putting up with it because I had the best time skiing down that slope just the two of us. It was the best 5 kilometres ever!  

I am so proud of you dad for going through what you did and always having a smile on your face, you really are a true hero.

I miss you daddy and that will never change. Thank you for all you did for us and for being there for us no matter what else was going on. Having said that dad I don’t think you really had a choice, as you’re our dad!

I hope you're playing the best games of golf up there and wearing the craziest clothes you can find. We all know how stylish your taste was!!

It became clear from a very early age that Ivan like to look smart .

The night before his first day at big school, he loved his new uniform so much he slept with it under his pillow, so of course it needed ironing the next morning.

Later that year the night before his school nativity play, he took me by the hand & led me to my wardrobe where he showed me what he wanted me to wear. We were living in a building site, so smart clothes were not daily apparel for me. It was then I realised he had been born with a designer label attached.

He was always a happy child with a big smile. He never bore grudges.

I told him one day if he did not stop goading his younger brother Matthew, I would smack his bottom , so he pulled his trousers down and showed me his bare bottom, at which point I had to laugh – all  three of us were rolling around on the floor in fits of laughter .

His love of speed became apparent when he first started to walk. He did not want to walk; he wanted to run. Thereafter, his need to do everything fast was evident: roller blading, skiing, cycling, then his many cars.

He achieved so much in his life in the business world and enjoyed everything to the full: cooking, sport, travel and family life. He thought the world of his family; he gave me 3 wonderful grand children, his beautiful wife Kate is like a second daughter to me.

He fought cancer with brave determination, with out complaining.

Ivan was a wonderful son to me. I know he would have done anything for me and I shall always be extremely proud of him. He has left a huge gap in all of our lives.

Although I cannot see him, touch him, hear him or smell his expensive after-shave, Ivan will be with me forever.

Thank you for being a fantastic son. I love you with all of my heart.

Mum

I would like to welcome so many people to a celebration of my son’s life.

Your responses and the number of you here today tells me that he was held in high esteem by those who came into contact with him.

I have read many of the comments on Facebook and I am filled with pride at the delightful things you have said about him.

Many of you close to him have seen the sheer cussedness and defiance he has shown over the last few years to fight this wretched illness which is blighting so many lives today.

But we are here to share his memories.

The struggle is over my boy. Rest in Peace.

And so on behalf of family, I thank each and very one of you.

1st April 1968 - 5th October 2015

Ivan Joseph Purdie, 47, of Hunsdon, Hertfordshire, passed away in Cambridge on 5th October 2015. He was a beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend. Ivan is survived by his wife, Kate, 41, his children Olivia, 14, Scarlett, 10, and Lucas, 5. Also his family of West Sussex; parents Mike Purdie and Jill and Jack Wilson, sister Catherine and husband Keith Stevens, brother Matthew and wife Catherine. Ivan was also a loving uncle to James and Amelie Purdie and Elizabeth Fleur Stevens.

An avid skiier, golfer, cook, cyclist and sailor, Ivan loved nature and was most at home in the mountains and the sea, particularly the British Virgin Islands where he and Kate were married and Ibiza where they loved to holiday with family and friends. He was an accomplished man, fluent in French and Spanish with a long track record of executive positions in media. He was also an active member of the Bishop's Stortford Golf Club and served on the club's Board of Directors.

Ivan's love of life was unparalleled. He was brimming with class and character and his style reflected that. His infectious smile, broad shoulders and hearty laugh will be missed by all whose lives he touched and there are ever so many all around the world. We will celebrate his life by coming together on 15th October at the Bishop's Stortford Golf Club to say a final farewell to the man we all loved and admired.

Donations in Ivan's memory can be made to Cancer Research UK: http://donateinmemory.cancerresearchuk.org/0006355